Thermal Baby Food Tray

ABSTRACT

In addition, safety control unit is provided to either adjust or shut down the system should the value deviate from the range value.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0106877, filed on Sep. 7, 2018, the entire contents of which are herein incorporate by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is related to heat generating baby food tray. More specifically, the tray provides heating and warming features while preventing from overheating.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

Generally, infants and young children use food trays not only during organizational activities such as daycares and kindergartens but at home as well.

It takes longer time for young children to complete their meal as they have difficulty focusing in one single task and has yet to learn the proper use of chopsticks and spoons just yet. KR 20-2016-0002088 is designed with a smart phone stand to help young children complete their meals quicker.

However, conventional food trays do not have heating or warming features should the meal time extend and young children are forced to consume cold food.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention provides infants and young children to enjoy their meal without the concerns for food getting cold. This is done by having heating and warming features on the food tray. In addition, safety features are added to protect from possible overheating.

According to one aspect of the present invention, multiple first storage unit whose upper sides are open and a first upper part of the storage unit are formed so as to cover the outer surface.

The first body including the first flat plate unit and multiple second storage units in which the lower section of the first storage unit are stored in close contact with each other. A first body is formed and installed in one or more of the second storage unit, and a second body in which the first body is detachably attached to the top. A heat generating unit that maintains warmth or heats food contained in the first storage unit, and a built-in second body, and the temperature of the heat generating unit is set by the user.

If the temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the control unit generates heat or stops heat and the top unit that covers the first body is included.

The first body includes a contact sensor for detecting whether or not the food tray cover and the first body are attached to each other.

The second body includes a contact sensor that detects whether the first body, second body and the heat generating unit are attached.

An operation unit providing an interface for temperature setting and an optional function is formed, and the control unit detects detached state of the food tray cover and the first body with the contact sensor, or the second unit provided is a thermal baby food tray that controls to stop the heat from the heat generating unit or to prevent the operation unit from functioning when the contact sensor detects detached state of the first body and the second body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a Thermal baby food tray (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the drawing shown in FIG. 1 separately.

FIG. 3 shows rear view of a Thermal baby food tray (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of Thermal baby food tray control unit (170) according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENT INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the following examples are provided to help the understanding of the present invention, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the following examples. The following examples are provided to more fully explain the present invention to those skilled in the art and are only defined by the scope of the claims. Reference numbers refer to identical components throughout the specification.

Referring to FIG. 1, a Thermal baby food tray (100) includes a first body (120), a second body (130), a heat generating unit (not shown), and a control unit (170). (110) may further be included.

The first body (120) consists of multiple storage units, and food can be stored in the storage units.

The upper part of the first body (120) can be covered by food tray cover (110) so as to warm up faster and maintain warmth. The first body (120) may be mounted on the upper part of the second body (130). At this time, the heat generating unit is installed in the second body (130), generates heat in response to a user setting through an operation unit provided in the second body (130), which can supply heat to the storage unit of the first body (120). The food stored in the storage unit can be kept warm or heated depending on the degree of heat from the heat generating unit. The control unit (170) is built-in in the second body (130) and controls the heat generating unit. In particular, the control unit (170) can continue to supply heat or stop the heat generation when the temperature of the plate exceeds the temperature set by the user. When first body (120) is in a detached state, or when the food tray cover (110) and the second body (120) are in detached state, the heat generating unit can be stopped from supplying heat.

In the following, each configuration will be described in details.

Referring to FIG. 2, the first body (120) includes a first storage unit (121) and a first flat plate unit (122).

The first body (120) consists of multiple first storage unit (121) whose upper sides are open so that rice, soup, side dishes, etc. can be stored in one side. In one specific example, the first storage unit (121) may include a unit formed in front of the first body (120) for storing rice and soup and a unit formed in the rear for storing side dishes. In one specific example, the first storage unit (121) may be formed so that the size of the storage unit for storing the rice and soup is larger than the size of the storage unit for storing the side dishes.

The first flat plate unit (122) can be formed in a plate shape so that the user can hold it.

At this time, the first flat plate unit (122) may be formed so that the first storage unit (121) is provided on one surface and the upper-outer surface of the first storage unit (121) is covered. The ends of the first flat plate unit (122) can be formed higher in the upward direction with a specific space in between them. This is to prevent liquids from flowing out of the first body (120) even if the children spill liquids such as soups during meals. Furthermore, the first body (120) can easily be detached from the second body (130) by grasping the end of the first flat plate unit (122).

In the first body (120), the first storage unit (121) and the first flat plate unit (122) can be integrally formed by insert injection. At this time, the materials of the first storage unit (121) and the first flat plate unit (122) may be different from each other. In one specific example, the material of the first storage unit (121) is a metal material such as stainless steel, aluminum, or titanium that has high thermal conductivity to transfer the heat to food stored in the first storage unit (121). The number selected from 1 or more is not limited to the materials described above.

The temperature of the first flat plate unit (122) can be increased by the heat generating unit when the food stored in the first storage unit (121) is being warmed or heated. However, the first flat plate unit (122) should be made of a material with low thermal conductivity because the infant can easily burn even with low heat. Therefore, the material of the first flat plate unit (122) will be selected from the group consisting of Polypropylene (PP), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyether sulfone (PES), Polyphenylene sulfone (PPSU) and Polyamide (PA). PP or PC is desirable as PP is a material with lightweight and impact-resistant, does not leak environmental hormones, and can be used safely by infants. PC is not only resistant to heat but shock as well. It is also lightweight, inexpensive and therefore can reduce costs.

Thermal baby food tray (100) may further include a food tray cover (110) that covers an upper section of the first body (120). The first body (120) may have one or more magnets installed on the one end of the first flat plate unit (122), and the food tray cover (110) may have one or more magnets installed at positions corresponding to the other magnet. The first magnet and the second magnet can be permanent magnets. Therefore, the first magnet and the second magnet are magnetically detachable so that food tray cover (110) can stably attach to the first body (120). Furthermore, if food adheres to the food tray cover (110), and the smell of food can easily be removed from the food tray cover (110) and the first body (120) by cleaning. Magnetic attachment for first body (120) and the food tray cover (110) is not limited to this specific application as food tray cover (110) can be attached to the second body (120) by other means so long as attachment is firm and stable.

Food tray cover (110) is located at the upper part of the first body (120) and may come in contact with an infant as heat of the first body (120) during warming and heating can be transmitted. In some cases, it is desirable to use a material having low thermal conductivity. In one specific example, the material of the food tray cover (110) can be one or more selected from the group consisting of PP, PC, PES, PPSU, and PA but preferably PP or PC.

By including the food tray cover (110) in the thermal baby food tray (100), it is less affected by outside air and can minimize heat loss and moisture loss, which helps with heating efficiency. It also helps with maintaining the warmth longer and reduces food from drying.

On the other hand, the first body (120) has one or more contact sensors (not shown) formed on one end of the first flat plate unit (122). It is possible for this sensor to detect whether food tray cover (110) is located at the top of the first body (120).

Referring again to FIG. 2, the second body (130) includes a second storage unit (131), a second flat plate unit (132), a display unit (160), handles (140), air vent holes (not shown), a battery (not shown), a power supply terminal (not shown), and a adhesion parts (180) may be included.

The second storage unit (131) and the second flat plate unit (132) of the second body (130) are provided with a second storage unit (131) on one side of the second flat plate unit (132) by insert injection. At this time, the material of the second flat plate unit (132) and the lower section of the second flat plate unit of second body (130) should be selected from PP, PC, PES, PPSU, PA. One or more materials can be selected from this group but PP or PC is preferred.

The second body (130) is detachable from the lower part of the first body (120) to form multiple second storage unit (131) that respectively store the first storage unit (121). At this time, the first storage unit (121) is stored in the second storage unit (131), and the first flat plate unit (122) can be supported by the second flat plate unit (132). In addition, a contact sensor (not shown) is installed on one side of the upper part of the second flat plate unit (132). The contact sensor can detect if first body (120) is securely attached in the upper part of second body (130).

The second storage unit (131) is in close contact with the first storage unit (121) in order to increase the heat transfer rate from the second storage unit (131) to the first storage unit (121) during warming and heating. The second body (130) can be magnetically attached to the first body (120). In one specific example, one or more magnets may be installed on the lower side of the first flat plate unit (122) of the first body, and the second flat plate unit (132) of the second body (130). One or more magnets may be installed on the upper side as to correspond to the corresponding magnet. For example, both magnets can be permanent magnets. Therefore, the first body (120) can be detached from the second body (130) and cleaned.

The second storage unit (131) stores the first storage unit (121) and the heat transfers from the heat generating unit to the first storage unit (121) to heat the food inside. Therefore, it is preferable to use a material having a high thermal conductivity for the second storage unit (131). It can be but not limited to aluminum.

It is installed in one or more of the second storage unit (131) of the heat generating unit and is not visible from the outside to provide aesthetic impression.

The heat generating unit can be composed of electrical wire or a ceramic heater to maintain warmth or heat the food stored in the first storage unit (121), and a ceramic heater is preferred. At this time, the heat generating unit only transfers heat to the second storage unit (131) when providing warmth or heating. In one specific example, when the heat generating part is an electrical wire, the electrical wire may cover up the lower-outer part of the second storage unit (131). In another specific example, when the heat generating unit is a ceramic heater, at least one ceramic heater may be installed on the bottom of the second storage unit (131). Specifically, in order to increase the heat transfer efficiency, it is installed on the bottom of the second storage unit (131) according to the area of the second storage unit (131), which corresponds to the first storage unit (121). The number of installed ceramic heaters can be varied. More specifically, the larger the area of the second storage unit (131), the greater the number of ceramic heaters installed on the bottom of the second storage unit (131).

A temperature sensor (not shown) is provided on one side of the heat generating unit, and the temperature sensor can detect the temperature of the heat generating unit.

On the other hand, the handle (140) is attached on at least one end of the second body (130) for mobility of the thermal baby food tray (100). If necessary, the handle (140) may be attached to another support part that can accommodate the second body (130), and may be detachable from the second body (130).

The air vent hole (not shown) may be created with multiple holes spaced apart from each other on at least one side of the outer surface of the second body (130).

This is to prevent the second body (130) from being overheated by releasing the generated heat outside. The lifespan of thermal baby food tray (100) can also be extended. The air vent holes may be holes having various shapes so long as it is capable of releasing the heat generated by the heat generating unit to the outside, and the type is not limited.

A battery (not shown) may be installed inside the second body (130). In one embodiment, the battery is a rechargeable battery, and when supplied with power and charged, thermal baby food tray (100) can warm or heat food without an external power source for certain periods of time. Thermal baby food tray (100) can therefore be carried out and used even in a place where external power source is not available.

A power terminal (not shown) may be installed on one outer side of the second body (130). The power supply terminal is supplied with power from an external power source to charge the battery. As a result, the thermal baby food tray (100) can be used in a state where the power supply terminal is connected to the external power source and external power is supplied, or the battery is charged and no other external power source is connected. The power terminals may be in various known types and are not limited to a specific type.

Adhesion parts (180) can be installed in the bottom of the second body (130). The adhesion parts (180) is for preventing slipping and can use various known types.

FIG. 3 is a rear view diagram of thermal baby food tray (100).

Referring to FIG. 3, the operation unit (150) may be installed on the rear surface of the second body (130). Thereby the infant can eat more safely, and cannot operate any functions during the meal.

The operation unit (150) is configured to provide an interface for setting the temperature of the heat generating unit and selective function of the heat generating unit, and includes a power source button (151), a warming button (152), a heating button (153), storage selection button (154), and a start button (155).

The power source button (151) may be in a button shape so that power supplied to the second body (130) can be turned on/off. In one specific example, when the power source button (151) is pressed once when the power of the second body (130) is off, power is supplied to the second body (130), and if the power source button (151) is pressed again, the power supplied to the second body (130) will terminate. The power source button (151) is not limited to the shape of a button so long as the power supply can be turned on/off by pressing.

Warming button (152) is an interface set for keeping food warm. For example, the first temperature can be 40-50° C. Warming button (152) is for setting the temperature of the heat generating unit to be in the first temperature, and can be operated by user's preference. In one specific example, the warming button (152) will increase the temperature by 5° C. each time it is pressed from 40 to 50° C. Once it reaches 50° C. and is pressed again, the temperature will go back to 40° C. Heat is transferred to the second storage unit (131) by the heat generating unit according to the setting by the warming button (152), and heat is transferred to the first storage unit (121) attached to the second storage unit (131). Thus, the warmth of the food contained in the first storage unit (121) can be maintained. Therefore, even if the meal time is extended, the infant can enjoy warm food.

The heating button (153) is an interface that heats food and causes the heating unit to generate heat at the second temperature. For example, the second temperature is about 60° C., and the second temperature can have a higher value than the first temperature. The heating button (153) is for setting the temperature of the heat generating unit to be the second temperature, and can be operated by a user's touch method, but is not limited thereto. At this time, when the user presses the heating button (153), heat is transferred to the second storage unit (131) by the heat generating unit, which transfers heat to the first storage unit (121) attached to the second storage unit (131). The heat is transferred and the food contained in the first storage unit (121) can be heated. Thereby, even if food loses warmth, it can be warmed by simple and convenient way.

The storage selection button (154) can be operated by the user's touch method so that the storage unit to be kept warm or heated can be selected from the first storage unit (121), but is not limited thereto. Only the storage units selected by the storage selection button (154) is warmed or heated in Thermal baby food tray (100). In addition, even when there is cold food such as fruit or salad and if the storage containing the cold food is not individually selected, the food can be eaten fresh cold with other heated food.

The start button (155) causes the conditions set by the warming button (152) or the heating button (153) to be executed. In one specific example, when a desired temperature is set by the warming button (152) and the start button (155) is pressed, warming function is performed. When the heating button (153) is pressed and the start button (155) is pressed, heating function is executed. As a result, even if a situation in which the warming button (152) or the heating button (153) is pushed by careless action of the infants, the heat warming or heating is not executed unless the start button (155) is pushed.

The display unit (160) shows the temperature set by the warming button (152) or the heating button (153) in the window that displays the value set in the operation unit, the current state, and then sets the current temperature. Inclining temperature, warning sign is also displayed and the user can check the time required to reach the set temperature.

Referring to FIG. 4, the control unit (170) is built-in in the second body (130) and controls the entire thermal baby food tray (100). The control unit (170) is composed of communication unit (171), the storage unit (172), and the determination part (173).

The communication unit (171) receives the temperature set by the operation unit (150) and the signals detected from all contact sensors and the temperature sensors, and sends them to the determination part (173).

The storage unit (172) receives information from the communication unit (171) which consists of temperature set by the operation unit (150) and attached state between food tray cover (110), first body (120) and second body (130).

The determination part (173) can determine and execute certain measures after the setting value stored in the storage unit (172) is compared with the current state and if the value deviates from the setting value. In one specific example, when the detected temperature is lower than the set value, warming or heating function is maintained, but when higher temperature than set value is detected, warming or heating function may be stopped by the determination part (173) cutting off the power source.

Thereby, although the temperature of the heat generating unit has reached the set value based on the operation unit (150), when a certain period of time passes and the temperature drops, the determination part (173) considers stored set value and determines that the value has deviated from the preferred temperature and continues to supply heat. Therefore, as the above process is repeated, warming feature is maintained, and the child can eat warm food even when the meal time is extended. In addition, thermal baby food tray (100) can be used safely as it prevents overheating through above process.

In another specific example, if determination part (173) does not receive signals from the contact sensors, it determines that food tray cover (110) and the first body (120) are not attached properly and thus, it may prohibit warming or heating features to be functional. Specifically, when signals from the contact sensors are not received, a warning sign is displayed on the display unit (160) and the operation unit may not be functional.

The technical concept of the present invention has been specifically described above. However, if the person has ordinary knowledge in the technical field to which the present invention belongs, a simple design change accompanying a specific application of the technology within the scope of the technical concept of the present invention described in the claims is not possible. The present invention can be modified in various ways, such as omission of some constituent elements and simple application changes, and it is obvious that such modifications are also included in the scope of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. Multiple first storage units open on the upper side, a first main body including a first flat plate unit installed so as to cover an upper outer surface of the first storage unit, and a lower section of the first storage units are stored in close contact with each other. Multiple second storage units are formed, and the first body is installed in one or more of the second storage units, and the first body is detachable from the top, and is stored in the first storage unit. A heat generating unit that maintains or heats the food, and a control unit that is built-in in the second body, and that causes the heat generating unit to generate heat or stops heating when the temperature of the heat generating unit exceeds the temperature set by the user and a food tray cover that covers the top of the first body. The first body is formed with a first contact sensor for detecting whether the food tray cover and the first body are attached. A second body consists of another contact sensor detecting the attachment of first body and second body as well as operational interface to select desired temperature and other options. Control unit is configured to detect the detached state of the first body against food tray cover. In addition, the control unit restricts operational features or terminates heat supply if it detects detached state between the first body and second body.
 2. As for claim 1, the thermal baby food tray in which first storing units are formed with the metal material and the first plate unit is formed by one or more selected from the group consisting of the polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyether sulfone (PES), poly phenylene sulfone (PPSU), polyamide (PA).
 3. As for claim 1, the thermal baby food tray in which one or more magnets are installed in first body, the second body and food tray cover.
 4. As for claim 3, the thermal baby food tray including the communication unit, the storage, and the fixed value stored in storage and the determining unit wherein: Control unit consists of communication unit which receives and sends out signals from the temperature sensor, a storage unit which stores information received from the communication unit, attached state between the food tray cover, first body and second body as well as well as set temperature value from the operation unit. Determination part compares information stored in the storage unit against current state and makes decisions to respond if there are differences.
 5. As for claim 4, thermal baby food tray includes air vent holes to release the heat caused from heat generating units.
 6. As for claim 5, thermal baby food tray consists of interface for selective food storage units to use, a heating unit to heat food and warming unit to maintain food at a desired temperature.
 7. As for claim 5, thermal baby food tray in which second body is formed in the lower part and includes adhesion parts to prevent the second body against slipping on the surface.
 8. As for claim 6, thermal baby food tray where in control unit heats or stops the heat generation based on the information it receives from temperature sensor and if the temperature deviates from the set value. 